Five Elements (Wu Xing)

Feng Shui teaches that the universe and all things within it are composed of five fundamental substances: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These substances correspond to the five major planets in the sky: Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury, hence they are referred to as the Five Elements (Wu Xing). The order of the Five Elements is sequential, determined by the "River Diagram" (He Tu), where one and six belong to Water, two and seven to Fire, three and eight to Wood, four and nine to Metal, and five to Earth. Thus, the sequence of the Five Elements is Water (1), Fire (2), Wood (3), Metal (4), and Earth (5). The generating (sheng) and overcoming (ke) relationships among the Five Elements are interlinked, creating a dynamic balance.

Characteristics of the Five Elements

- **Wood:** Wood is associated with the East, symbolizing growth, expansion, and vitality. Trees grow upward and outward, embodying the qualities of growth, development, and openness.
- **Fire:** Fire is associated with the South, representing heat, warmth, and upward movement. It symbolizes transformation, energy, and passion.
- **Earth:** Earth is associated with the center, symbolizing fertility, stability, and nurturing. It represents the sustaining and supportive qualities of life.
- **Metal:** Metal is associated with the West, symbolizing contraction, purity, and sharpness. It embodies the qualities of refinement, order, and structure.
- **Water:** Water is associated with the North, symbolizing cold, fluidity, and downward movement. It represents adaptability, coolness, and nourishment.

#### Interactions Among the Five Elements

1. **Generating Cycle:** Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, and Metal generates Water.
2. **Overcoming Cycle:** Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, and Earth overcomes Water.
3. **Mutual Dependence:** Each element relies on another for its existence and can be weakened or strengthened by its interactions with other elements. For example, Metal relies on Earth for generation, and strong Metal can control Wood.

#### Five Elements and Seasons

- **Spring (Wood):** Spring is the season of growth, where life begins to sprout, and energy expands outward, similar to the nature of Wood.
- **Summer (Fire):** Summer is hot and energetic, with life in full bloom, embodying the qualities of Fire.
- **Late Summer (Earth):** The transition between summer and autumn, when fruits ripen, and energy stabilizes, corresponds to the Earth element.
- **Autumn (Metal):** Autumn is the season of harvest and retraction, with energy contracting inward, reflecting the qualities of Metal.
- **Winter (Water):** Winter is cold and introspective, where life retreats and energy moves downward, embodying the nature of Water.

#### Five Elements and Directions

The Five Elements also correspond to the five cardinal directions:
- **East (Wood):** Associated with the energy of growth and expansion.
- **South (Fire):** Associated with heat, energy, and upward movement.
- **West (Metal):** Associated with contraction, structure, and refinement.
- **North (Water):** Associated with fluidity, adaptability, and nourishment.
- **Center (Earth):** Associated with stability, nurturing, and balance.

#### Five Elements and the Human Body

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the Five Elements to describe the human body's organ systems:
- **Wood (Liver):** Controls the tendons and is associated with the eyes.
- **Fire (Heart):** Governs the blood vessels and is associated with the tongue.
- **Earth (Spleen):** Controls muscles and is associated with the mouth.
- **Metal (Lungs):** Controls the skin and is associated with the nose.
- **Water (Kidneys):** Governs the bones and is associated with the ears.

#### Five Elements and Colors

- **Metal:** White, gold, and silver.
- **Water:** Black, blue, and gray.
- **Wood:** Green and cyan.
- **Fire:** Red and purple.
- **Earth:** Yellow, brown, and tan.

#### Five Elements in Feng Shui Practice

Understanding the attributes of the Five Elements helps to balance energy in a space, ensuring harmony and well-being. By identifying the predominant element in a room or object, one can adjust the surrounding elements to create balance. For example:
- **Metal:** Represented by metallic objects and tools, associated with sharpness and clarity.
- **Wood:** Represented by wooden furniture and plants, associated with growth and vitality.
- **Water:** Represented by water features and mirrors, associated with fluidity and adaptability.
- **Fire:** Represented by lights and warm colors, associated with energy and transformation.
- **Earth:** Represented by ceramics and stones, associated with stability and grounding.

#### Seasonal Variations in the Strength of the Five Elements

The strength of each element fluctuates with the seasons, described as "prosperous, active, resting, imprisoned, and dead":
- **Spring:** Wood prospers, Fire is active, Water rests, Metal is imprisoned, Earth is dead.
- **Summer:** Fire prospers, Earth is active, Wood rests, Water is imprisoned, Metal is dead.
- **Autumn:** Metal prospers, Water is active, Earth rests, Fire is imprisoned, Wood is dead.
- **Winter:** Water prospers, Wood is active, Metal rests, Earth is imprisoned, Fire is dead.
- **Transitional Seasons (Earth):** Earth prospers, Metal is active, Fire rests, Wood is imprisoned, Water is dead.

Understanding these principles helps in making seasonal adjustments to optimize Feng Shui practices.